A REVOLUTIONARY programme which is helping children reach their football potential is celebrating its fifth year and is looking forward to reaching a new milestone.

The FA Tesco Skills Programme offers free football coaching sessions to 5-11 year-old boys and girls and since its inception has provided over three million places on football skills courses across England. But its aim is to continue to grow and provide 4.7 million places by 2014.

The programme is the brainchild of Sir Trevor Brooking, who had concerns over the skills gap between English youngsters and their European counterparts.

The programme encourages participation in an open and fun football environment. Instead of traditional coaching practices and drills, children are encouraged to be creative and expressive in their play through sessions aimed at developing game understanding and decision making.

Sir Trevor says: "We launched in 2007 with an aim of improving the physical literacy in the youngsters and getting them comfortable on the ball".

"Its all about learning and having fun in a safe environment first and foremost. If we can improve skills and help the fitness of our kids too, then even better".

Run by The Football Association and funded by Tesco and Sport England, The FA Tesco Skills Programme is a revolutionary approach to youth coaching that provides free coaching support to children in primary school PE lessons, at after school Skills Centres and at local grassroots FA Charter Standard clubs across Cheshire.

Sir Trevor continues: "The football skills sessions not only keep children active and entertained; they also give children the confidence to reach their potential. It has heralded a new approach to coaching and is based on the FAs four corner coaching philosophy based around skills rather than win at all costs".

"What's great about it is that its more than just developing football skills the programme helps children to gain confidence, build self-esteem, learn to work as a team and improve their decision making".

"There's a clear pathway through kids can go in from school level, then we've got the skills centres and after-school clubs to try and direct them into clubs. And who knows, youngsters could then get the chance to go into the elite side with the academies".

"The FA Tesco Skills programme supports the FA's wider strategy to improve football for children. The starting point was the opportunity for all youngsters to play the game and then for them to improve, get better and then to get to whatever level they aspire to".

"We try and make sure that the pitch sizes as well as the goal sizes are relevant to the youngsters that are playing. Were also trying to get the youngsters to pass a lot".

One mum, Sandra, said of her sons involvement: "Oscar really had a wonderful time.

"He hasn't stopped going on and on about how much he learnt!" The coaches were great and very welcoming. Oscar was impressed by how much they knew about football".

"He can be a bit of a handful so top marks for engaging his attention!"

Sir Trevor also has praise for Tesco, which has offered its support to the programme.

He said: "Tesco is a very family-focused business so the partnership made perfect sense. They've been very enthusiastic partners and its great that they're in it for the long term".